Red Roses vs New Zealand: Mackenzie Carson, Sarah Bern and Maddie Feaunati all included in side for match at Allianz Stadium

Sarah Bern, Mackenzie Carson and Bryony Field have all been included in the Red Roses side for their crunch match against New Zealand at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

Props Bern and Carson start in the front row alongside hooker Field who earns her second start, while Maddie Feaunati is recalled at No 8 meaning a switch to blindside flanker for vice-captain Alex Matthews.

Morwenna Talling and Lilli Ives Campion continue in the second row, and back row Sadia Kabeya completes the pack.

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Last week, the Red Roses' remarkable 39-match winning run came to an end as they were held to a nail-biting 26-26 draw by Canada at Sandy Park.

Head coach John Mitchell said: "We're moving forward in the right direction while building depth in our cover. Now we look forward to renewing a rivalry with a New Zealand side we haven't played since 2024. They are playing good rugby at the moment and it's no surprise to see them raise their standards.

"Test matches against the best teams in the world are what we relish and look forward to, especially at Allianz Stadium."

The backline remains unchanged from the team that began last weekend's draw against Canada. Lucy Packer and Zoe Harrison are the half-backs with Helena Rowland and captain Megan Jones forming the centre partnership.

Claudia Moloney-MacDonald retains her spot on the wing following two tries down at Sandy Park. Ellie Kildunne and Jess Breach are also named in the back three.

Among the replacements, Natasha Hunt and Tatyana Heard are back in the 23 and Emma Sing is set for her first WXV Global Series appearance.

Over 50,000 supporters will be in attendance at Allianz Stadium on Saturday for the 34th encounter between the Red Roses and the Black Ferns.

The Red Roses are unbeaten across their last 53 matches on home soil since a 20-25 defeat to New Zealand at the Twickenham Stoop in November 2016.

They have won each of their last 13 at the Allianz Stadium but New Zealand have lost just one of their 17 games since the start of 2025.

Red Roses team to play New Zealand

15 Ellie Kildunne (Bristol Bears), 14 Jess Breach (Saracens), 13 Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women), 12 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning), 11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs), 10 Zoe Harrison (Saracens), 9 Lucy Packer (Harlequins); 1 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury), 2 Bryony Field (Saracens), 3 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears), 4 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks), 5 Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning), 6 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury), 7 Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning), 8 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs).

Replacements: 16 May Campbell (Saracens), 17 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears), 18 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury), 19 Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women), 20 Marlie Packer (Harlequins), 21 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury), 22 Tatyana Heard (Sale Sharks), 23 Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury).

Hansen names strong line-up for Twickneham Test

New Zealand were the last team to beat the Red Roses, upsetting the tournament favourites in the final of the previous 2022 Women's Rugby World Cup.

Black Ferns head coach Whitney Hansen has brought back loose forward Kaipo Olsen-Baker, winger Ayesha Leti-I'iga and lock Laura Bayfield to her side following their 66-14 win over Scotland last week.

Hansen, daughter of former All Blacks coach Steve, described her players as "made for these moments" as her side look to build on a run of seven successive Test wins this year.

"We've continued to grow each week and we're excited to put our rugby identity to the test against England," she said.

New Zealand: 15 Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 14 Mererangi Paul, 13 Logo-I-Pulotu Brunt, 12 Amy Du Plessis, 11 Ayesha Leti-I'iga; 10 Hannah King, 9 Maia Joseph; 1 Chryss Viliko, 2 Georgian Ponsonby (captain), 3 Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, 4 Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 5 Laura Bayfield, 6 Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, 7 Elinor-Plum King, 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker.

Replacements: 16 Atlanta Lolohea, 17 Maddison Robinson, 18 Santo Taumata, 19 Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu, 20 Layla Sae, 21 Tara Turner, 22 Justine McGregor, 23 Alena Saili.

WXV Global Series: England's schedule and results

• England 48-15 Australia
• England 26-26 Canada
• September 26 - England v New Zealand (Twickenham)
• October 16 - Canada v England (Toronto)
• October 23 - Canada v England (Ottawa)
• October 30 - USA v England (New Jersey)

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Red Roses vs New Zealand: Mackenzie Carson, Sarah Bern and Maddie Feaunati all included in side for match at Allianz Stadium